He was originally scheduled to work the plate today, but the umpire rotation was altered because baseball won’t allow him to work the plate when his brother pitches.

“It makes it easier on everybody so every call is not scrutinized,” Randy Wolf said. “He can umpire his regular game and not think about it.”

Jim Wolf, a full-time major league umpire since 2004, is staying with his brother while in Houston. The two have been together in the same series on several occasions, and Jim Wolf even worked a spring training game when Randy Wolf was pitching this year for San Diego.

The Wolfs are the second set of brothers to be in the majors at the same time as umpire and player, joining Tom and Bill Haller in the 1960s and 1970s.

“It’s cool,” Randy Wolf said. “I think he’ll be at it longer than I am. Becoming a big league umpire is a tough road. It’s like trying to get on the Supreme Court and be a justice. Those guys don’t retire.”

Matsui taken out

Astros second baseman Kaz Matsui left in the second inning of Tuesday’s game against the Giants with a sore back.

Wigginton hits sixth

“This is a guy that’s really tough on righthanded hitters, and I need to get my lefthanders up there,” Cooper said.

Darin Erstadhit second Tuesday and started in right field in place ofHunter Pence.

“The last couple of days have been tough on (Pence), and I sensed a little frustration, so I think it’s the best time to do it,” Cooper said.

Pence pinch-hit in the seventh and stayed in to play right.

Spaceman Lance

First baseman Lance Berkman was presented Tuesday with a No. 17 jersey that spent 14 days in space aboard the space shuttle in March. Dominic Gorie, commander of STS-123 flight, and mission specialist Mike Foreman gave Berkman a picture of the jersey in orbit.

“I’m certainly honored they chose me and my jersey to float around the Earth,” Berkman said. “Unless you’ve been in space or been associated with people who’ve been up there, it’s really hard to wrap your mind around the concept of being up there. Just looking at the pictures, it’s really cool.”

By the numbers

700 – Career runs by Brad Ausmus, who scored in the third inning Tuesday. He’s the 25th catcher to reach that mark.

Did you know?

Jose Valverdemoved pastMel Rojasand into sole possession of fifth place on the all-time saves list by a Dominican-born player with his 127th save Monday.

Coming up

Lefthander Randy Wolf (7-10, 4.57 ERA) makes his fourth start for the Astros against Giants lefthander Barry Zito (6-14, 5.55 ERA), who will make his third career start against the Astros.